Long Beach California History-Historic Homes and Districts

Feb
01

Long Beach California History-Historic Homes and Districts

History of Long Beach California

From the People of the Earth to the City of Long Beach California

A Native American tribe known as the Tongva (which means "the people of the earth") were the city's first known residents. The Tongva disappeared in the 1800s as settlers began pouring into the area. Manuel Nieto built a rancho on a huge parcel of land awarded him through the Spanish Land Grant in 1784. Over time, his property was divided many times for business and personal reasons. Long Beach grew out of two settlements that came from Nieto's tract: Los Cerritos and Los Alamitos.

Settling Long Beach California

In 1880, Englishman Erwin Willmore created the first township here by subdividing parts of Los Cerritos. Even after the township failed, settlers were drawn to the area's easy access to the ocean, wide beaches and business opportunity. By 1888 the City of Long Beach had a name, 59 buildings and a school. Long Beach incorporated in 1897. Do you like historic homes? Today, Historic Willmore City has more Craftsman, Prairie, Victorian, Mission and Spanish Colonial Style homes than any other Long Beach historic homes districts. Named for Mr. Willmore, it was part of the city's original 1881 plan.

In 1933 Long Beach was hit by a very large earthquake which caused incredible damage to buildings for miles around the city. During the 30's and 40's the city slowly rebuilt itself and began to attract the motion picture industry. Elizabeth Taylor spent her first honeymoon at the Hilton Hotel on Ocean Boulevard, which is now the Breakers Hotel right here in Long Beach. She married Nicky Hilton, son of Conrad Hilton. The Breakers Hotel Penthouse has since been converted to the magnificent restaurant The Skyroom, my personal favorite for a very special evening.

Long Beach was known as the motion picture capital of the world until post World War I when Hollywood developed around the glitz of the era. With its perfect Southern California climate, Long Beach afforded the perfect setting for the industry. There were eight film houses, two stock companies, roller-coasters and bath houses at the historic Pike, along the shore of Downtown Long Beach. This was the home of the Balboa Amusement Production Company, the world's most prolific silent-film studio. W. C. Fields and other stars lived in beautiful mansions in the Bluff Park neighborhood along Ocean Boulevard and First Street, many of which remain in the families to this day.

In 1967 the Queen Mary (built in 1936) was withdrawn from service to the Cunard line and brought to rest in Long Beach Harbor. She was to become a floating hotel, open to the public. She was outfitted with restaurants, shops and tours open to the public. Did you know that the Queen Mary transported troops during World War II and served as Winston Churchill's headquarters at sea? She was painted gray and nicknamed "The Gray Ghost". The Queen transported over 800,000 troops and traveled 660,000 miles. The Queen Mary is now listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Historic Landmarks

Long Beach is home to many interesting and well preserved historic landmarks. One such historic landmark is Fire Station #10, the oldest remaining fire station in Long Beach. Today it is no longer in service for firefighters, but instead houses the Long Beach Firefighters Museum and contains a collection of antique fire engines, historical photographs, and other firefighting memorabilia.

The Long Beach Museum of Art, in historic Bluff Park, is housed in the historic Elizabeth Milbank Anderson House, a stunning Craftsman Mansion, built in 1929. The museum is perched on a towering bluff overlooking Long Beach Harbor. With ocean front gardens and a charming cafe, it is a wonderful place to escape to for a day of gazing out over the ocean, watching the comings and goings of the cruise ships and viewing the harbor.

If you love books, be sure to visit the historic landmark Acres of Books a family owned used books store that has been in Long Beach for over 50 years. With more than 750,000 used books in stock, you're sure to find something to enjoy. (...Read More About Long Beach Historic Landmarks)

Historic Treasures

Today the Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch and Gardens and Rancho Los Cerritos Historic sites are owned by the City of Long Beach. Be sure to stop by these history-rich treasures! You'll see agricultural buildings, acres of gardens and adobe ranch homes dating from the 1800s. Long Beach is packed with historic homes and significant older structures.

Long Beach California Historic Homes and Districts

Historic Long Beach California Real Estate

Long Beach is widely celebrated as one of the most culturally diverse cities in the United States. But diversity is not just for people! You'll recognize the width and breadth of our uniqueness as you tour homes in any of the city's 17 historic neighborhoods:

(...Click here to learn more about

the varied architectural styles of these

Long Beach neighborhoods)

From the massive front porch timbers of the Craftsman Bungalow to the intricately detailed Victorian woodwork...there's a historic home style here to suit every preference.

A Community Working Together

Grab a sweater on a cool coastal morning and smell the sweet fog as it melts into a crisp California day. Relax on a bench on the wide open porch of your vintage Craftsman Bungalow style home. The wide eaves reveal authentically exposed roof rafters that make you feel uniquely peaceful. Across the street, a neighbor tends to her garden as children play under ancient oaks and elms. You admire the intricate wrought iron grillwork and heavy red tile roof of your neighbor's Spanish Colonial Revival style home. There is comfort in living among a community of people working together to assure the vitality of your neighborhood.

Step Back in Time

Are you searching for a well maintained, architecturally significant home in a neighborhood where community is valued? As you drive along the tree lined streets you'll feel as if you've stepped back in time. You'll see antique street lamps lighting cobblestone paths and gardens bordered by authentic picket style fences. You'll see beautifully manicured lawns and flowering gardens. You'll see neighbors working together to assure that historic features of an area are maintained. When you live in a historic district, you become part of a unified effort to protect the area's rich heritage.

Dedicated to Preservation

Long Beach is dedicated to the preservation of its rich history. In 2003, the city received an A on the Los Angeles Conservancy's report card for overall preservation. Long Beach was one of only five cities to receive high marks out of 45 Southern California locations. And in 2004 the Willmore City historic area won the Neighborhoods USA Best Neighborhoods contest for social revitalization.

Individual Long Beach California Real Estate qualifies for historic status when it:

is historically significant
is architecturally unique
has retained its original style
is built from original materials

A more recently built structure may qualify for historic status when it is a well built representation of a past architectural style. Want to know more about Long Beach's rich history? Visit the Long Beach Historical Society.

Preserving the Past

If you love strong, structurally sound, beautiful old homes...Come Home to Long Beach CA! Historic districts here maintain or re-create an atmosphere of old Long Beach. Is your Long Beach California Real Estate in a potentially historic area?
If your community contains a high concentration of intact and original vintage architectural styles, and property owners want to protect the buildings as assets to the community...your neighborhood may qualify for historic status.

Historic Status for Your Neighborhood

A district may qualify for historic designation when:

two-thirds or more of the structures in the area are 50 years old -- or older
buildings retain their original appearance
buildings are constructed of original building materials

An area may be designated historic when structures together preserve the visual qualities and ambiance of the past. Sometimes individual homes are already designated historic -- sometimes it's the area itself that's notable.

Meeting the City's Criteria

To gain historic status for your neighborhood, contact the Long Beach Cultural Heritage Commission (CHC). You'll provide specific information about your community to the commission, who will conduct a cultural resources survey to determine if the structures in your area meet the city's criteria for historic designation. The CHC makes a recommendation to the Planning Commission who drafts an ordinance for City Council approval. This is the final step! Once the ordinance is approved, your area is officially designated a historic district.

A Valuable Asset

Your historic home is more than a poignant reminder of a by-gone day. It is a glittering emblem of community pride. It attracts tourists interested in viewing a piece of the past. And historic neighborhoods enjoy increases in property values that exceed similar non-designated neighborhoods. Whether you're interested in revitalizing a neighborhood, love vintage properties or are considering an investment in Long Beach CA Real Estate...your historic home is a valuable asset!

Saving Money with the Mills Act

Are you concerned about how you'll afford to maintain your historic Long Beach California Real Estate? The Mills Act makes preservation easy! This 10 year "endlessly renewable" contract with the city provides tax incentives to owners of Long Beach historic properties.

The Mills Act

Since 1972, The Mills Act has provided deep tax discounts to owners of historic Long Beach California Real Estate. This legally binding 10 year "endlessly renewable" contract helps homeowners afford maintenance and restoration of historically and architecturally significant properties.

View the current inventory of Historic Districts
Learn how to apply for Mills Act status
To receive more information about the Mills Act and have a packet mailed to you, call 1-562-570-6864.

See Sold Long Beach California Mills Act Historical Home
Picture Gallery Included

All Qualified Historic Structures Benefit

In 1972, historian, writer and statesman, Jim Mills, introduced this little known bill. It grants tax discounts ranging from 24 to 60 percent to owners of qualified historic structures. All designated historic buildings may apply! Whether you live in your historic single family residence or use it as an income producing commercial enterprise...you may qualify for tax benefits under the Mills Act.

Good for You...Good for the Community

Returning tax money to you benefits everyone. It creates incentive to purchase and restore beautiful homes and neighborhoods within the community. When you purchase restoration materials, local businesses thrive. Property values go up! Neighborhoods are strengthened as standards of living increase. And neighborhood enhancements stimulate community pride.

Promising to Maintain and Preserve Your Historic Property

When you sign a Mills Act contract, you are promising to maintain and preserve your historic property following predetermined standards. This is to protect the value of your investment while assuring the community's overall historic integrity. Modifications to your home or building should respect the structure's original historic and architectural character...while changing it as little as possible!

Everyday maintenance and General Repairs

Zoning requirements, building codes, development and owner entitlements remain the same for all neighborhoods. Everyday maintenance and general repairs that don't affect your home's overall construction or design are not regulated.

Buying or Selling a Mills Act Home

Are you buying or selling a home that comes with an existing Mills Act contract? Lucky you! As a buyer, you'll assume the Mills Act contract along with purchase of your home -- and benefit from tax savings already in place. Selling a Mills Act home means increased marketability of an already desirable property

Come Home to Long Beach

Are you buying or selling historic Long Beach California Real Estate? Call Laurie Manny, your Historic Homes Specialist, today at (562) 212-5420. Laurie is a Top Long Beach Realtor.

http://www.lauriemanny.com/001B72

Posted on 2008-02-01 @ 1.57:38 am by Laurie.Manny